The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (2023)

Science

Energy

Power up your laptop anywhere that life takes you.

By

Amber Nolan

The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (1)

Amber Nolan

  • College at Brockport, State University of New York

Amber Nolan is a freelance writer for Treehugger who is passionate about sustainable living, nature, and outdoor adventure.

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Updated June 17, 2021

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Working remotely using a laptop is becoming more and more common, and with it comes the challenge of keeping a computer powered up when electric outlets are scarce. Whether at an outdoor café, camping in the wilderness, on a road trip, living off-grid, or in a sudden power-outage situation, a portable solar laptop charger is a handy device to have.

Most portable solar laptop chargers function as mini power stations capable of charging other electronics like cell phones, cameras, drones, and tablets – to name a few. Now, with more options than ever to choose from, we’ve sorted through the latest solar devices to find our favorites.

Here are the six best portable solar laptop chargers.

The Rundown

Best Overall:

Jackery Solar Generator and Panel at Walmart

(Video) Best Portable Solar Charger of 2022 | The 6 Best Solar Panel Review

Jump to Review

Jump to Review

Best Backpack Charger:

Voltaic Systems Array Rapid Solar Backpack Charger at Amazon

(Video) Best Solar Chargers 2022 | Top 5 Best Portable Solar Chargers Review

Jump to Review

Best Overall:Jackery 1000W Peak Solar Generator SG550 with 100W Solar Panel

The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (2)

Key Specs

Solar Panel Capacity: 400 watts | Battery Capacity: 290 watt hours | Weight: 7.5 pounds | Output Ports: AC Output, Car Port Output, USB Outputs

Founded by a former Apple battery engineer in Silicon Valley, Jackery Power Outdoors is one of the most well-recognized names in off-grid power supplies. The Solar Generator SG290 comes with a whopping 90-watt panel that folds shut and can easily be toted away using the carry handle. The 400-watt output can charge a Macbook four times before the power station requires a recharge.

Another stand-out feature is the built in MPPT module that monitors voltage and output of the solar panel, adding up to 23% more solar recharging efficiency. There’s also an automatic power-saving setting to power down when not in use. The Jackery can charge up to four devices at one time.

Best Budget:ExpertPower S200

The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (3)

Key Specs

Solar Panel Capacity: 400 watts | Battery Capacity: 193 watt hours | Weight: Power bank 4.4 pounds, panel 2.4 pounds | Output Ports: Three USB ports, two AC outlets, two DC outputs

ExpertPower Station’s S200 is an affordable starter kit for charging laptops on the go, as well as phones, tablets, drones, and other devices (up to 200watts). The kit includes a 50-watt, weather-resistant solar panel that’s built on a copper foundation, and it can provide up to 22% to 25% energy efficiency (depending on cloud coverage).

The panel has a flexible design and weighs just 2.4 pounds, while the portable lithium generator weighs 4.4 pounds, making this an extremely lightweight option. The generator can be charged using a car outlet, wall outlet, or using the solar panel (mount holes are pre-drilled for easy installation).

Best Portable:Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC + Nomad 20 Solar Kit

The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (4)

Key Specs

Solar Panel Capacity: 20 watts | Battery Capacity: 94.7 watt hours | Weight: Power bank 2pounds, solar panel 2.28 pounds | Output Ports: Wireless Qi, USB-C PD ports, USB-A, AC inverter

For an ultraportable laptop charger than can easily pack up and fit into luggage or a hiking pack, the Sherpa 100AC by Goal Zero weighs just over four pounds – for both the charger and the 20-watt solar panel. The Sherpa is ideal for charging laptops, cameras, tablets, and phones, plus it even has a wireless charging option.

The Nomad 20 panel can fold shut and comes with a kickstand to get the proper angle in the sun. It takes about 7.5 to 15 hours to recharge (so a full day in the sun), however, it can also recharge from another USB source (in eight to 10 hours) or from the car adapter or wall charger in about three hours.

The 6 Best Solar-Powered Phone Chargers of 2022

(Video) ✅ Top 5 Best Portable Solar Charger 2022 - Reviews & Buying Guide

Best Splurge:EcoFlow River Max Portable Solar Generator Kit

The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (5)

Key Specs

Solar Panel Capacity: 110 watts | Battery Capacity: 576 watt hours | Weight: Battery 11pounds, panel 8.8 pounds, expansion battery 5.5 pounds | Output Ports: Three AC outputs, two USB-A outputs, USB-A fast charge, USB-C output, car power output, DC5521 output

If you’re shopping for a laptop charger but are considering a versatile option, the River Max (R600) includes an expansion battery for added power without having to purchase a second device. The River Max can also handle a roster of electronics ranging from laptops, coffee makers, hotplate burners, televisions, hair dryers, and almost any gadget that draws less than 600 watts.

The kit includes a foldable, 110 watt solar panel, allowing the battery to recharge faster than most other options. The R600 weighs 11 pounds, can fully charge within 1.6 hours on a wall charger, and can also be paired with a mobile app to set recharge alerts and monitor output.

Best for RVing:Patriot Power Sidekick

The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (6)

(Video) Top 10: Best Portable Solar Panel Kits of 2022 / Foldable Solar Charger Panel with USB Outputs

Key Specs

Solar Panel Capacity: 40 watts | Battery Capacity: 300 watt hours | Weight: 8 pounds | Output Ports: two USB, USB Type C, two pure sine wave AC output

Specializing in emergency equipment such as water filters and ready-to-eat survival meals, the outdoor company 4 Patriots also makes must-have solar devices. The Power Sidekick is a reliable and efficient solar charger that’s designed for sudden power-outages, and is also a good addition to camping or RV gear.

Although it's lightweight, the Sidekick can charge phones, laptops, medical devices, WiFi routers, radios, and more with a capacity of 300 watts. The four foldable solar panels (connected) provide total 40 watts of power to recharge the Sidekick and can also directly charge any device that has a USB port. There’s a light on the back that’s useful in a tent or on the picnic table, and the clear digital display shows the charging levels and how many watts the laptop being charged is using.

The company supports active-duty military and veterans’ charities.

Best Backpack Charger:Voltaic Systems Array Rapid Solar Backpack Charger for Laptops

The 6 Best Portable Solar Laptop Chargers of 2022 (7)

Key Specs

Solar Panel Capacity: 9 watts | Battery Capacity: 88.8 watt hours | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Output Ports: USB, USB Type C, and Hi-Voltage Laptop Output

A solar-charging backpack allows you to charge a laptop on the go, and the redesigned Array Rapid Solar Backpack Charger by Voltaic Systems is lightweight (5.4 pounds), durable, and powerful. UV and water resistant, the backpack is made from 33 recycled plastic soda bottles (recycled PET fabric). Inside is 25 liters of storage, a dedicated padded 15-inch laptop sleeve for added protection, and plenty of interior pockets.

The new larger capacity, 88-watt hour battery comes with USB-C to charge the latest devices. The battery can be recharged with the AC adapter or with the 10-watt solar panel that’s built into the rear of the backpack. It takes about six hours to fully charge a laptop.

Final Verdict

Our top pick for a portable solar laptop charger is the Jackery Power Outdoors (view at Home Depot) unit for its reasonable price and high functionality, but if you’re looking for a cost-friendly option, the Expert Power Station’s S200 (view at Amazon) is an affordable, lightweight choice for charging laptops and cell phones on the go. If you’d like to splurge on something more powerful to charge laptops as well as larger electronics, the River Max Solar Generator Kit (view at Earth Products) is a worthwhile investment.

Good to Know

While some portable solar panel manufacturers claim they can charge laptops by connecting directly to the panel, it’s not a good idea. Voltage fluctuations can potentially damage devices, and portable solar panels are slower to charge devices than battery power packs. Not to mention, solar panels can only be utilized during daylight hours, while a combination of both (battery and panel) allows you to maximize power generation by using the battery in the evenings and recharging it on the panel during the day.

Why Trust Treehugger?

The author, Amber Nolan, lives off-grid (most of the year) on a houseboat using almost entirely solar power, but she also relies on the Jackery portable solar generator when she’s traveling.

The 7 Best Solar Power Banks of 2022

(Video) Best Portable Laptop Charger in 2022 - Top 5

FAQs

What's the best solar portable charger? ›

The Anker PowerCore Solar 20000 is our top pick. You get both a USB-A and USB-C port, and with a 20,000mAh capacity battery, you'll have plenty of onboard juice to keep your devices topped up. (That's enough charge up an iPhone 12 around 4.7 times, a Galaxy S20 3.4 times, and an iPad mini 2.7 times.)

Is there a solar charger that actually works? ›

The compact and foldable BigBlue 28W Solar Charger is one of the best solar-powered phone chargers that can also charge larger devices. This mid-priced charger boasts 21.5 to 23.5 percent conversion efficiency and is compatible with most compact Android devices and Apple devices.

Can you solar charge a laptop? ›

Need a powerful solar laptop charger kit? The battery provides the laptop power and the panels recharge the battery. Combined, they will keep your laptop going for 3-4 hours (depending on conditions). Each laptop solar charger panel folds down into a handy size for your bag or rucksack.

What is the most powerful portable power station? ›

The best portable power stations of 2022 in full:
  1. EcoFlow Delta Pro. Best overall portable power station. ...
  2. Bluetti AC200P. Best for loads of devices. ...
  3. Jackery Explorer 1500. Best for after sales support. ...
  4. Oukitel P2001. Best for simplicity. ...
  5. Bluetti AC200MAX. ...
  6. Anker 757 Power Station. ...
  7. BigBlue Cellpowa 500. ...
  8. Zendure SuperBase Pro 2000.
5 days ago

Is there a portable charger that can charge a laptop? ›

The HALO Bolt 58830 isn't just a portable laptop charger, but it is effective thanks to its AC outlet. This portable charger is also designed to jumpstart a car and is great for laptops that draw up to 60W of power. It has its own jump start port and comes with its own jumper cables.

What is a good wattage for a portable charger? ›

Powerful charging and recharging: For models with USB-C output or input, we preferred those rated for at least 15 watts. That's the minimum wattage needed for full USB-C charging and recharging speeds (though devices that support the even faster USB-C standard—USB Power Delivery, or USB PD—need at least 18 watts).

What is the smallest most powerful power bank? ›

T-Core Ultra-Compact High-Speed Power Bank, $38.99

The best-selling T-Core Ultra-Compact High-Speed Power Bank describes itself as the world's smallest and lightest ultra-compact portable charger and power bank. It perfectly fits in the palm of your hand and is half the size of a bank card.

How long do solar portable chargers last? ›

Solar batteries can last between three and ten years depending on the type of battery. A good quality lithium-ion battery can last for more than 4,000 cycles (the number of times a battery is drawn down and then recharged). That's a life span of about 10 years under typical use.

Can solar charger damage battery? ›

Such a solar panel connected to a battery in bright sunlight will charge the battery and keep on charging it over and above normal recommended voltages. It would definitely damage the battery internally. It's important to use a suitable solar charger.

Are solar battery chargers worth it? ›

Yes! Solar battery chargers can fully charge your devices. The only thing is, if the battery has reached the end of its lifetime and needs to be replaced, a simple recharge won't cut it. They do take a longer time than gas powered or wall powered chargers but they are a great option for traveling or off-grid living.

What size solar panel do I need to charge a laptop? ›

For example laptops typically require a voltage of 16 -18.5v to charge effectively. This translates to needing a solar panel rated at least between 60 to 100W (or higher) as a laptop needs more power to charge (in a timely fashion too) than smaller appliances.

How much solar power do you need for a laptop? ›

We calculated how many solar panels you will need to run a computer using only the sun's energy below. To use a standard business PC, you will need around 300 Watts every hour. In comparison, a gaming PC that is more power-hungry will need something closer to 500 Watts.

What size solar panel do I need to charge my laptop? ›

A 300 Watt Hour portable power station will be enough to manage your power needs at home. It comes with an AC adapter, cigarette lighter cable, MC4 cable, and USB type-C cable.

Which company fast charger is best? ›

Anker's PowerPort III Nano is the best option for charging any phone fast: It's tiny and inexpensive, and it can get a fully drained phone battery to more than 50% full in half an hour. USB-C chargers can top up phones faster than older USB-A models can, and they work with both iPhones and Android devices.

Which brand power bank is best? ›

  • Comparison Table Of The Best Power Bank.
  • #1) Mi Power Bank 3i 20000mAh.
  • #2) URBN 10000 mAh Li-Polymer.
  • #3) Ambrane 15000mAh Li-Polymer Powerbank.
  • #4) Syska 20000 mAh Li-Polymer.
  • #5) OnePlus 10000mAh Power Bank.
  • #6) pTron Dynamo Pro 10000mAh.
  • #7) Realme 20000mAh Power Bank.
25 Oct 2022

What's the highest watt fast charger? ›

The fastest is SuperVooc Flash Charge, which uses 10V and 6.5A to charge its phones at 65W. SuperVooc 2.0 features an impressive 65W maximum charge by combining 10V of electrical force and 5A of power as well, but its charging times are a bit slower.

Which is better Anker or Jackery? ›

While the other products round up the capacity, Jackery rounds down and has a 25% higher capacity than the Anker 757, which somewhat justifies the 30% price difference. What is this?

What's better than Jackery? ›

Goal Zero Yeti 200X Vs Jackery Explorer 160

The Yeti 200X has a slightly more powerful inverter and can output 20 more watts continuously. It also has 20 more watt-hours of battery capacity. It can handle more solar input and will charge faster when using solar panels.

What should I look for in a portable solar station? ›

What to look for in a good portable power station
  • Battery Capacity (Watt Hours) ...
  • Power Rating (Watt) ...
  • Charge Time. ...
  • Portability. ...
  • Outlet Ports. ...
  • Jackery - Overall best portable power station. ...
  • Goal Zero Yeti - Best premium portable power station. ...
  • Zendure SuperBase Pro - Useful Jackery alternative.
26 Jul 2022

How long can a power bank run a laptop? ›

Capacity: First things first, to fully charge a laptop, you need lots of milliamp-hours (mAh). Anything north of 20,000 mAh is enough to deliver up to an extra 25 hours of battery life for a typical 13-inch laptop. Portability: Of course, you could get more than 20,000 mAh in a powerbank.

How many mAh do you need to charge a laptop? ›

20,000mAh is pretty much the minimum needed to get a single full charge into most laptops, but you'll find some with double that amount or more. Higher capacity in general means extra charge, but also extra size and weight.

How do I choose a portable power bank charger? ›

Start by choosing the size of your battery (aka power bank).

Common sizes range from 2000mAh up to 10,000 or even 12,000 mAh. Bigger numbers mean more power, which means more recharges for your smartphone, or charging for bigger devices that need more power, like a tablet.

What specs should I look for in a portable charger? ›

Size, shape, weight and capacity are the main things to consider when shopping for a power bank. A nice clear indication of available power is also useful, with some models showing a digital display rather than bars (e.g. "80% remaining"). A basic power bank with two USB ports for charging multiple devices at once.

Which power bank is better 10000mah or 20000mah? ›

For laptops and power banks, you should choose a power bank with at least a 20,000mAh capacity.

Which is the best affordable power bank? ›

Power Banks
  • Ambrane 27000 mAh Power Bank (20 W, Quick Charge 3.0, P... Black, Lithium Polymer. 4.3. ...
  • Pomics 30000 mAh Power Bank (25.136 W, Fast Charging) Green, Lithium-ion. (11,844) ...
  • Bestseller. Mi 3i 20000 mAh Power Bank (Fast Charging, 18W) ...
  • Mi 3i 10000 mAh Power Bank (Fast Charging, 18W) Black, Lithium Polymer.

Can you leave a solar battery charger on all the time? ›

In general, a solar trickle charger can be left connected to a battery all the time. Most commercial chargers are designed to either generate very low power or incorporate over-charge protection. It's always preferable to use a simple solar charge controller with any solar charging application.

Is Portable solar worth it? ›

Are portable solar panels effective? Yes, they are. The same technology that allows homes to run on 100% solar energy is used, albeit in a much more compact design. Because of this, they can't provide as much energy as full size solar panels, but they are effective.

Can solar chargers overheat? ›

Although its true that an abundance of sunshine is ideal for generating a lot of power using photovoltaic panels, too much heat can be a bad thing. If solar panels get too hot, they can in fact overheat.

Why is my solar battery draining so fast? ›

But the overall thing to keep in mind is if a solar panel is draining a battery it's mainly because the diode of the panel is broken. Otherwise, the solar charge controller has faulty settings, the battery is damaged or there are problems with the wiring in the system.

What can damage solar battery? ›

About 80% of failures are caused by sulfation, a process where sulfur crystals form on the battery's lead plates and prevent chemical reactions from happening. Sulfation occurs when the battery has a low charge or electrolyte level.

Do solar panels drain batteries at night? ›

In short, if solar panels are properly set up, it does not drain the batteries at night. They do draw power from them though, because of the lack of sunlight and the need for supplying your appliances or charging your mobile phone which is usually done over the night.

What should I look for when buying a solar battery charger? ›

How to Choose a Portable Solar Charger
  • Keep the lights on ysing the power of the sun. ...
  • Types of solar chargers. ...
  • Panel-only chargers. ...
  • Panels with integrated battery chargers. ...
  • Panels with detached battery chargers. ...
  • Gadgets to power using the solar charger. ...
  • Length of use or trip duration. ...
  • Climate and weather.

How big of a solar battery charger do I need? ›

Charging your battery at 12 volts and 20 amps will take five hours to charge a 100 amp hour battery. By multiplying 20 amps by 12 volts, 240 watts is how big of a panel you would need, so we'd recommend using a 300w solar panel or 3 100 watt solar panels.

Can you overcharge with solar? ›

Higher charging voltage from the solar panels leads to higher Ah being delivered to the battery and ultimately leading to overcharging. The easiest way to control over charging of the batteries is to control the output voltage of the solar panel.

Can a 100w solar panel charge a laptop? ›

Practically: Yes, but you shouldn't do it. Would you like me to explain ? It can but make sure u connect a solar charge controller in between. Or u can simply just secure a solar generator which u can use to charge ur laptop safely and watch tv, use ur fan, and power lights.

Can a 100 watt solar panel run a laptop? ›

A 100w solar panel can also be used to charge a laptop for between two and ten hours each day, depending on the wattage of the laptop in question and your overall power consumption. It can also power a lamp for up to 33 hours, and an LCD television for around five hours without any difficulty.

Can a 100w solar panel run a computer? ›

On the other hand, a laptop consumes about 60 watts/hour. That means a 100 watt solar panel would be suitable to meet those needs.

Is 400 watts of solar enough? ›

Nineteen 400 watt solar panels are needed to power the average house. The average American household uses about 11,000kWh of electrical energy per year. A 400 watt solar panel produces 584kWh per year with irradiance of 4 peak-sun-hours.

Is 400 watts of solar a lot? ›

However, as of 2022, 400-watt solar panels are still an uncommon size in residential solar power installations, with most consumers opting for panels in the 300-350 watt range.

What will a 300 watt solar system run? ›

What Can a 300 Watt Solar Panel Run? A solar panel delivering around 300 watts of power would be able to run things like ceiling fans, lights, rice cookers, phone and laptop chargers, a television or computer, and even electric fences.

Can a 50 watt solar panel charge a laptop? ›

What Can a 50W Panel and 30Ah Battery Power? Using the solar panel in combination with the battery allows you to power several other appliances. It's able to power fans, electric blankets, DC televisions, and charge laptops.

Can I charge 65w laptop with 100w charger? ›

Can you use a 100w charger on a 65w laptop? The short answer is yes you can use a laptop charger with a higher wattage, however, there are some caveats.

Are portable solar phone chargers any good? ›

Solar Chargers are a great way to keep most small electronics devices charged while out and about. Solar chargers don't just generate power from the sun, they also store that energy in their internal batteries so you can top your phone up where ever and whenever you need to (even after dark).

What is the difference between a solar charger and a solar power bank? ›

Solar power banks store generated energy in built-in batteries, so you can charge devices even when there's no sun. Solar chargers are designed without batteries and do not store energy. They have to be exposed to sunlight when they're charging your devices.

Is a solar battery bank worth it? ›

Solar batteries are also great if your main reasons for going solar are environmental, as it maximizes the amount of renewable energy your home uses. However, if you're only looking to save extra money, a solar battery might not be worth it for you.

What is the disadvantage of solar power bank? ›

High initial costs for material and installation and long ROI (however, with the reduction in the cost of solar over the last 10 years, solar is becoming more cost feasible every day) Needs lots of space as efficiency is not 100% yet. No solar power at night so there is a need for a large battery bank.

What should I look for in a solar bank charger? ›

To help you, we have selected some of the most important factors to consider when choosing exactly which solar power bank you want.
  1. Size and weight.
  2. Charging capacity.
  3. Charging speed.
  4. Battery charging time.
  5. Resistance.
  6. Number of connections.
2 Sept 2022

How long will a solar battery bank last? ›

How Long Does a Solar Battery Last? Home solar battery units last anywhere between 5 and 15 years. If you decide to install a solar battery today, it's almost certain you'll need a replacement in the future to match the 20- to 30-year lifespan of your solar power system.

How do I choose a solar battery bank? ›

The most important ones to use during your evaluation are the battery's capacity & power ratings, depth of discharge (DoD), round-trip efficiency, warranty, and manufacturer.

How big should my solar battery bank be? ›

The amount of battery storage you need is based on your energy usage. Energy usage is measured in kilowatt hours. For example, if you need 1,000 watts for 8 hours per day, then your energy usage is 8kWh per day. A battery capacity of 4 to 8 kWh is usually sufficient for an average four-person home.

What is the safest solar battery? ›

Solar battery safety

The safest one in existence today is lithium iron phosphate battery technology, or LFP. These are highly stable and have no chance of overheating. They also run very cool which means they can be placed inside your home, if desired, and won't require extra ventilation or cooling.

Do solar chargers work in winter? ›

Many homeowners contemplating upgrading to solar energy wonder whether solar panels will even work in winter or on cloudy days. The good news is that they absolutely do. Solar panels draw energy from the sun, but that doesn't mean solar panels only work on sunny afternoons or long summer days.

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